Lanzarote Information

According to the Ley 50/1999 passed by Royal Decree in March 2002, the following list of dog breeds are considered to be dangerous in Spain including any cross breeds:

a) Pit Bull Terrier

b) Staffordshire Bull Terrier

c) American Staffordshire Terrier

d) Rottweiler

e) Dogo Argentino

f) Fila Brasileiro

g) Tosa Inu

h) Akita Inu

In addition the law states that dogs included in Ley 50/1999 have a majority of the following characteristics:

a) Fuerte musculatura, aspecto poderoso, robusto, configuración atlética, agilidad, vigor y resistencia (strong muscles, powerful, robust aspect, athletic configuration, agility, vigor and resistance)

b) Marcado carácter y gran valor (noticeable character and great value)

c) Pelo corto (short hair)

d) Perímetro torácico comprendido entre 60 y 80 centímetros, altura a la cruz entre 50 y 70 centímetros y peso superior a 20 kg ( thorasic perimiter between 60 and 80 cm, height to the cross between 50 and 70 cm and weight heavier than 20 kg)

e) Cabeza voluminosa, cuboide, robusta, con cráneo ancho y grande y mejillas musculosas y abombadas. Mandíbulas grandes y fuertes, boca robusta, ancha y profunda. (Big square robust head with a wide skull, muscular convex cheeks, strong wide jaws and deep mouth)

f) Cuello ancho, musculoso y corto (short wide muscular neck)

g) Pecho macizo, ancho, grande, profundo, costillas arqueadas y lomo musculado y corto (massive wide, deep chest with arched ribs and short muscled back)

h) Extremidades anteriores paralelas, rectas y robustas y extremidades posteriores muy musculosas, con patas relativamente largas formando un ángulo moderado (parallel, straight and robust extremities, very muscular, with relatively long legs forming a moderate angle)

The law also includes any dog that has shown aggressive behaviour to other dogs or humans and is considered by the authorities to be dangerous.

My dog is on the list, what do I have to do?

Each municipality of Spain have their infracciones of the laws, you should contact the local municipality and a Spanish vet to help understand the legal requirements for your dog for that particular area of Spain. You are looking for their information about “Perros Potencialmente Peligrosos” according to Ley 50/1999.

Attached below is a copy of Ley 50/1999 and a computer generated translation together with the Arrecife Infracciones of this law that you can download or click the links to see them online.

You will be required to have a special licence “Licencia para la tenencia de animales potencialmente peligrosos” for this you have to be of legal age, without a criminal record (proof required from the Ministerio del Interior), have the physical and physiological ability to own a dangerous animal and an insurance policy covering the animal with a €120,000 liability.

Your dog will have to be registered with a local vet and have a micro chip, if you want to walk your dog outside the home they are expected to wear a muzzle, be kept on a secure lead no longer than 2 metres in length and only one dog per person. If the dog is kept outside at home, they must be secured and if lost reported to the local authorities within 48 hours. It is possible to take a test with a specially qualified vet to show your competence at controlling your dog and testing their aggression – if passed you will be given a certificate to prove the dog doesn’t have to wear a muzzle outside the home.

There are two certificates issued by the local Ayuntamiento one is a permit to own a potentially dangerous dog, the other is to register your dog in the municipality. You need to take 2 photos of your dog, the dogs passport or book showing up to date vaccinations and micro chip details, your passport and Certificado de Residencia, proof of your non criminal record, insurance certificate for a liability of €120,000 for your dog. They will want to know why you have this type of dog, is it for personal defence, a guard dog or other reasons and if the dog has been trained the details of the trainer.

Have you any experience of transporting a dog on the dangerous dogs list to Lanzarote or own one here? Can you offer any additional advice, please use the comment field below.